The name Ezra dates back as far as the bible and is most commonly used as a masculine name. The biblical meaning is thought to derive from the Hebrew word Azar. In Hebrew, Azar means ‘protect’, ‘aid’, or ‘help’.
Ezra is often said to mean ‘helper’ or ‘help’. The name Ezra may also be a derivation of the name Azaryahu. This Hebrew name means ‘God protects’ or ‘God helps’.
In the bible, the Jewish priest Ezra helped a group of exiled Jewish people back to Israel, escaping their captivity in Babylon.
Ezra has traditionally been used as a masculine name but it can be used for baby girls too. Popular feminine variations of Ezra include Esra and Ezri.
- Ezra Name Origin: Hebrew
- Ezra Name Meaning: Protect, aid, or help.
- Pronunciation: Ez – Rah
- Gender: Male
How Popular is the Name Ezra?
Ezra is a cute biblical name with a sweet meaning and it is growing in popularity in the United States. Since the start of the 20th century, Ezra has remained in the top 1000 most popular boys’ names, according to statistics recorded by the Social Security Administration.
Over the last decade, the name Ezra has soared in popularity and 7365 baby boys were given this name in 2021 when it was recorded as the 37th most popular boy’s name. Ezra remains a rare choice for baby girls, and in 2021 the name ranked at #714.
Variations of the Name Ezra
If you like the name Ezra, you may also want to consider these variations from different countries, with alternative spellings and meanings.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Azra | Pure | Hebrew |
| Azaryahu | God protects / God helps | Hebrew |
| Esra | Travel at night | Turkish |
| Ezera | Helper | Hebrew |
| Ezrah | A helpful person | Hebrew |
Other Amazing Hebrew Boys’ Names
Ezra is a Hebrew name with biblical origins, but there are many other names with similar origins. Check out these other Hebrew names for your baby boy.
| Name | Meaning |
| Daniel | A prophet |
| Gabriel | God is my strength |
| Jacob | Supplanter / Holder of heel |
| Abie | Father of many |
| Benjamin | Son of the South |
| Cane | One who has a spear |
| Davyd | A lovely human being |
Alternative Boys Names Starting with ‘E’
If Ezra isn’t ‘the one’, here are some other baby boy names starting with ‘E’ to inspire you.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Ethan | Strong / Firm | Hebrew |
| Eli | Defender of man | Greek |
| Edward | Rich guard | Old English |
| Emmanuel | God is with us | Hebrew |
| Eric | Forever ruler | Norse |
| Easton | From East town | English |
| Evan | God is gracious | Welsh |
Famous People Named Ezra
Ezra dates back to the bible and while it can be used as a unisex name, it is traditionally a given name for boys. Over the years there have been many famous people called Ezra, here is a list of the most well-known people with this name:
- Ezra Pound – American poet.
- Ezra Miller – American actor.
- Ezra Koenig – American musician from the band Vampire Weekend.
- Ezra Taft Benson – American republican politician.
- Ezra Sosa – American dancer.